How do you wire a two-bulb ceiling light?

Question

I bought a two-bulb flushmount ceiling light. Each bulb has its own set of black and white wires.

Is it OK to twist the two blacks of the fixture, and attach it to the outlet's black, and the same with the white? Is this how two fixtures make it to one outlet? This fixture has just one ground wire

Answer 1

That is correct. All the blacks together in one wire nut, and all the whites together in another. And ground to ground. Wire it with the power off. And make sure the connections are good. Tug gently on each wire after tightening to make sure.

Answer 2

These directions apply generally to all ceiling-mounted fixtures. Having a helper on a second ladder makes this job a lot easier.
Instructions


Step One Turn off the power to the light at the main circuit breaker or fuse box.

Step Two Remove all the screws securing the old fixture to the ceiling. Use a screwdriver and hold the fixture from the bottom as you work.

Step Three Lower the light a few inches to expose the wires, then unscrew the wire nuts connecting the wires coming out of the wall to the old light.

Step Four Set the old light aside.

Step Five Remove 1/2 inch of insulation from the wire ends of the new fixture with a wire stripper.

Step Six Lift the fixture into place and, using wire nuts, splice together the new fixture's neutral (white or gray) wires and the incoming neutral wires, and the fixture's and incoming hot wires (any color except green, white or gray).

Step Seven Join the fixture to the grounding wires in the box if it also has a grounding wire (green or bare copper).
8Step EightTug on the wires to make sure all connections are secure.

Step Nine Tuck the wires into the ceiling box and screw on the new light. If the new light's mounting holes don't match up with those of the old one, you may have to drill new holes.

Step Ten Turn the power back on at the main circuit breaker or fuse box.


Tips & Warnings

To make sure you shut off power to the proper circuit before working on the fixture, turn on the old light before shutting off power to the circuit. If the light is still on after you remove a fuse or switch off a circuit breaker, you've shut off the wrong circuit.

It's also a good idea to indicate with a note on the breaker box that you are working with the electrical system.
Always shut off power to a circuit before doing any electrical work on it.

If you are unsure about your abilities or about any aspect of the project, call an electrician.
If you have someone helping you, use two ladders - it isn't safe for two people to stand on one ladder.

Answer 3

The red wires should be the switched power going from the wall switch to the light fixture (by code). The black wires are full-time 120 vac. You can get yourself a lamp socket and temporarily connect the socket (with a bulb in it). Connect the white wire of the socket to the white wires. Connect the black wire of the socket to one of the red wires. See which light switch controls the light. Then connect the black wire of the socket to the other red wire. See which light switch controls the light again. The black wires on your light fixture should be connected to each other and then connected to the red wire(s). The white wires should be connected together and then connected to the white wire bundle in the JB. From the above, try to ascertain what the heck is going on. 10 wires in a JB is a lot of wires. Two of the black wires go to the light switches. That's my best guess without actually being there to do some measurements. I don't understand why you have two red wires unless each lamp is switched separately or there is a second light fixture that is also switched along with the one your are replacing.

Answer 4

That is correct.
Use 'wirenuts` for your connections.
Most fixtures come packaged with them.

Answer 5

Yes, you've got it right.

Bert